DOCSLIB.ORG

Social History the Scrapbooking Detective: Frederick Porter Wensley and the Limits Of

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Social History the Scrapbooking Detective: Frederick Porter Wensley and the Limits Of This article was downloaded by: [The University of Manchester Library] On: 06 February 2015, At: 14:37 Publisher: Routledge Informa Ltd Registered in England and Wales Registered Number: 1072954 Registered office: Mortimer House, 37-41 Mortimer Street, London W1T 3JH, UK Social History Publication details, including instructions for authors and subscription information: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/rshi20 The scrapbooking detective: Frederick Porter Wensley and the limits of ‘celebrity’ and ‘authority’ in inter-war Britain Eloise Mossa a University of Manchester Published online: 03 Feb 2015. Click for updates To cite this article: Eloise Moss (2015) The scrapbooking detective: Frederick Porter Wensley and the limits of ‘celebrity’ and ‘authority’ in inter-war Britain, Social History, 40:1, 58-81, DOI: 10.1080/03071022.2014.971508 To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071022.2014.971508 PLEASE SCROLL DOWN FOR ARTICLE Taylor & Francis makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of all the information (the “Content”) contained in the publications on our platform. However, Taylor & Francis, our agents, and our licensors make no representations or warranties whatsoever as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability for any purpose of the Content. Any opinions and views expressed in this publication are the opinions and views of the authors, and are not the views of or endorsed by Taylor & Francis. The accuracy of the Content should not be relied upon and should be independently verified with primary sources of information. Taylor and Francis shall not be liable for any losses, actions, claims, proceedings, demands, costs, expenses, damages, and other liabilities whatsoever or howsoever caused arising directly or indirectly in connection with, in relation to or arising out of the use of the Content. This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/page/terms- and-conditions Downloaded by [The University of Manchester Library] at 14:37 06 February 2015 Social History, 2015 Vol. 40, No. 1, 58–81, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03071022.2014.971508 Eloise Moss The scrapbooking detective: Frederick Porter Wensley and the limits of ‘celebrity’ and ‘authority’ in inter-war Britain* ABSTRACT: Frederick Porter Wensley was one of Scotland Yard’s ‘Big Four’ detectives, head of the Metropolitan Police Criminal Investigation Department and responsible for establishing the Flying Squad. On his retirement in 1929, he used the two bound scrapbooks of press clippings and photographs he had collated to document his personal life and career to inform his 1931 autobiography Detective Days and serialized press articles. Through examining the interaction of material between scrapbooks and autobiographical writings, this article explores how Wensley constructed his post-retirement persona as ‘celebrity detective’ from a canny understanding of what had made him a commercial subject for the press. It argues that Wensley recast his life to promote his own successes at the expense of a narrative of police unity, providing a vehicle for him to suggest further changes to the structure of the police force without official sanction. By juxtaposing this against tightening legislation on police communication with journalists during the inter-war period under the Official Secrets Acts, this article demonstrates how the ‘celebrity’ that Wensley sought to occupy was increasingly regarded as irreconcilable with police ability to effect ‘impartial’ regulation, anticipating the concerns raised by the 2012 Leveson Inquiry into the Culture, Practice and Ethics of the Press. The article thus charts a turning point in defining the relationship between police and press. KEYWORDS: authority; celebrity; censorship; life-writing; police; press; scrap- books In February 1931, the Daily Express featured a book review of the latest ‘detective autobiography’ to be written by a former officer of the famous Criminal Investigation Downloaded by [The University of Manchester Library] at 14:37 06 February 2015 Department (CID) at Scotland Yard, the Metropolitan Police’s headquarters. Entitled *I am grateful to Stefan Dickers at the and the creation of the scrapbooks were Bishopsgate Institute for first drawing my invaluable. Thanks to Kate Imy, Will Pooley, attention to Wensley’s scrapbooks and for his the journal’s editors and reviewers for their subsequent support for this project. Emma perceptive ideas and constructive feedback on Robinson, great-granddaughter of Frederick earlier versions of this article. This research was Porter Wensley, and her husband, David undertaken with funding from my Past and Robinson, kindly met me to discuss Present Fellowship (2013–14) at the Institute of Wensley’s life; their insights into his character Historical Research. q 2015 Taylor & Francis February 2015 The scrapbooking detective 59 ‘A detective classic’, the review extolled to readers the character of Superintendent Frederick Porter Wensley, whose memories of famous crimes and criminals they would be buying: It is not only that Mr Wensley tells these and many other stories with the inside knowledge that no one else possesses, but he manages – without in any way trying to do it – to stamp on every page of his book the impress of his own solid 1 English character. ... So it is a very human detective that appears in this book. Frederick Porter Wensley wanted to be famous. Detective Days: The Record of Forty-two Years’ Service in the Criminal Investigation Department, the autobiography to which the 2 reviewer referred, was the culmination of a life’s work. Wensley had built up a phenomenally successful police career, graduating from patrolling the beat in London’s impoverished East End district to becoming head of the CID in 1924, in the process 3 capturing some of the period’s most famous murderers, burglars and confidence tricksters. Simultaneously, he had carefully charted this rise to prominence through the two bound scrapbooks of press cuttings and photographs he had kept on his life and police work since the early 1890s; an activity that enabled Wensley to analyse what qualities made him and his 4 colleagues good journalistic ‘copy’. This scrapbooked material not only informed his autobiography, but also an accompanying series of pre-publication articles in the Sunday 5 Express that were later recycled into numerous articles in other publications. Yet the Express reviewer’s comment on the resulting public persona Wensley presented in his life-writing – ‘a very human detective’ – underscores a fundamental contradiction in the two roles Wensley sought to occupy. How did one become a ‘celebrity detective’? How was the 1Bishopsgate LibraryandArchives(henceforth\ assassin who attempted the perfect crime’, BLA), WENSLEY/3/2 (1930–1947), ‘A detective Sunday Express (26 October 1930); ‘Stinie classic’, Daily Express (6 February 1931), 13. Morrison: was the real murderer executed in 2F. P. Wensley, Detective Days: The Record of America?’, Sunday Express (2 November 1930); Forty-two Years’ Service in the Criminal ‘Duel for a life that was lost — and won’, Sunday Investigation Department (London, 1931). Express (2 November 1930); ‘The 13th burglar 3R. M. Morris, ‘Wensley, Frederick Porter was a woman’, Sunday Express (9 November (1865–1949)’, Oxford Dictionary of National 1930); ‘The headless body was found on Friday’, Biography (Oxford, 2010); online edn, May Sunday Express (16 November 1930); ‘An artist 2012, http://ezproxy.ouls.ox.ac.uk:2117/view/ in blackmail’, Sunday Express (23 November article/90014 (accessed 28 March 2014). 1930); ‘The murder in room thirteen’, Sunday 4BLA, WENSLEY/3/1 (1890–1929); BLA, Express (30 November 1930); ‘Wensley steps WENSLEY/3/2 (1930–1947). right into real melodrama’, Sunday Express 5BLA, WENSLEY/3/2 (1930–1947), F. P. (7 December 1930); ‘Murder caused by a Wensley, ‘The man who caught the murderers’, woman’s vanity’, Sunday Express Downloaded by [The University of Manchester Library] at 14:37 06 February 2015 Sunday Express (5 October 1930); ‘Mrs (14 December 1930); ‘Wensley poses as a Thompson: a marvellous actress who failed at “mug”’, Sunday Express (21 December 1930); the vital moment’, Sunday Express (5 October ‘Chicago thrills in London’, Sunday Express 1930); ‘The murderers in Houndsditch and the (4 January 1931); ‘Don’t fear the burglar!’, battle of Sidney Street’, Sunday Express Sunday Express (11 January 1931); ‘Sherlock (12 October 1930); ‘Wensley reveals the Flying Holmes in real life’, Sunday Express (18 January Squad in action’, Sunday Express (19 October 1931), x–xiii, 1–5; BLA WENSLEY/3/2 (1930– 1930); ‘How we trapped “The Spider”’, Sunday 1947), Sunday Express articles repeated in Sunday Express (19 October 1930); ‘Wensley on the Chronicle, Evening World, Bristol Evening News psychology of murder’, Sunday Express and Leicester Evening News,6–7,38–47. (26 October 1930); ‘Thorne, the smiling 60 Social History VOL.40:NO.1 pursuit of ‘celebrity’ to be reconciled with a professional identity that was supposed to be orientated around public service, collective effort, duty and, perhaps most importantly, authority? The police have historically been supposed to operate as ‘impartial’ defenders of the law, whose role was implicitly to uphold ‘in-’ or ‘super-’ human
Load more

Recommended publications
  • The Welshman Who Knew Mary Kelly
    February/March 2018 No. 160 PAUL WILLIAMS on The Welshman Who Knew Mary Kelly STEPHEN SENISE JAN BONDESON HEATHER TWEED NINA and HOW BROWN VICTORIAN FICTION THE LATEST BOOK REVIEWS Ripperologist 118 January 2011 1 Ripperologist 160 February / March 2018 EDITORIAL: CHANGING FASTER NOT BETTER? Adam Wood THE WELSHMAN WHO KNEW MARY KELLY Paul Williams GEORGE WILLIAM TOPPING HUTCHINSON: ‘TOPPY’ Stephen Senise FROM RIPPER SUSPECT TO HYPERPEDESTRIAN: THE STRANGE CAREER OF BERESFORD GREATHEAD Jan Bondeson LULU - THE EIGHTH WONDER OF THE WORLD Heather Tweed WOMAN’S WORK: AN ALTERNATIVE METHOD OF CAPTURING THE WHITECHAPEL MURDERER PART TWO Nina and Howard Brown VICTORIAN FICTION: THE WITHERED ARM By THOMAS HARDY Eduardo Zinna BOOK REVIEWS Paul Begg and David Green Ripperologist magazine is published by Mango Books (www.mangobooks.co.uk). The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in signed articles, essays, letters and other items published in Ripperologist Ripperologist, its editors or the publisher. The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in unsigned articles, essays, news reports, reviews and other items published in Ripperologist are the responsibility of Ripperologist and its editorial team, but are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, conclusions and opinions of doWe not occasionally necessarily use reflect material the weopinions believe of has the been publisher. placed in the public domain. It is not always possible to identify and contact the copyright holder; if you claim ownership of something we have published we will be pleased to make a proper acknowledgement. The contents of Ripperologist No. 160, February / March 2018, including the compilation of all materials and the unsigned articles, essays, news reports, reviews and other items are copyright © 2018 Ripperologist/Mango Books.
    [Show full text]
  • Mitre Square Revisited News Reports, Reviews and Other Items Are Copyright © 2009 Ripperologist
    RIPPEROLOGIST MAGAZINE Issue 104, July 2009 QUOTE FOR JULY: Andre the Giant. Jack the Ripper. Dennis the Menace. Each has left a unique mark in his respective field, whether it be wrestling, serial killing or neighborhood mischief-making. Mr. The Entertainer has similarly ridden his own mid-moniker demonstrative adjective to the top of the eponymous entertainment field. Cedric the Entertainer at the Ryman - King of Comedy Julie Seabaugh, Nashville Scene , 30 May 2009. We would like to acknowledge the valuable assistance given by Features the following people in the production of this issue of Ripperologist: John Bennett — Thank you! Editorial E- Reading The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in signed Paul Begg articles, essays, letters and other items published in Ripperologist are those of the authors and do not necessarily Suede and the Ripper reflect the views, conclusions and opinions of Ripperologist or Don Souden its editors. The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in unsigned articles, essays, news reports, reviews and other items published in Ripperologist are the responsibility of Hell on Earth: The Murder of Marie Suchánková - Ripperologist and its editorial team. Michaela Kořistová We occasionally use material we believe has been placed in the public domain. It is not always possible to identify and contact the copyright holder; if you claim ownership of some - City Beat: PC Harvey thing we have published we will be pleased to make a prop - Neil Bell and Robert Clack er acknowledgement. The contents of Ripperologist No. 104 July 2009, including the co mpilation of al l materials and the unsigned articles, essays, Mitre Square Revisited news reports, reviews and other items are copyright © 2009 Ripperologist.
    [Show full text]
  • Acari: Oribatida) of Canada and Alaska
    Zootaxa 4666 (1): 001–180 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Monograph ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2019 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4666.1.1 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:BA01E30E-7F64-49AB-910A-7EE6E597A4A4 ZOOTAXA 4666 Checklist of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of Canada and Alaska VALERIE M. BEHAN-PELLETIER1,3 & ZOË LINDO1 1Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A0C6, Canada. 2Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, Canada 3Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] Magnolia Press Auckland, New Zealand Accepted by T. Pfingstl: 26 Jul. 2019; published: 6 Sept. 2019 Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0 VALERIE M. BEHAN-PELLETIER & ZOË LINDO Checklist of oribatid mites (Acari: Oribatida) of Canada and Alaska (Zootaxa 4666) 180 pp.; 30 cm. 6 Sept. 2019 ISBN 978-1-77670-761-4 (paperback) ISBN 978-1-77670-762-1 (Online edition) FIRST PUBLISHED IN 2019 BY Magnolia Press P.O. Box 41-383 Auckland 1346 New Zealand e-mail: [email protected] https://www.mapress.com/j/zt © 2019 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5326 (Print edition) ISSN 1175-5334 (Online edition) 2 · Zootaxa 4666 (1) © 2019 Magnolia Press BEHAN-PELLETIER & LINDO Table of Contents Abstract ...................................................................................................4 Introduction ................................................................................................5
    [Show full text]
  • In Whitechapel a Blow by Blow Account from J.G
    Cousin THE CASEBOOK Lionel’s Life Enter The Matrix and Career D. M. Gates and Adam Went Jeff Beveridge issue six February 2011 CK THE RIPPER STUDIES, TRUE CRIME & L.V.P. SOCIAL HISTORY FRIDAY THE 13TH! in Whitechapel a blow by blow account from J.G. Simons and Neil Bell Did George Sims LOSE IT? Jonathan Hainsworth investigates THE CASEBOOK The contents of Casebook Examiner No. 6 February 2011 are copyright © 2010 Casebook.org. The authors of issue six signed articles, essays, letters, reviews February 2011 and other items retain the copyright of their respective contributions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication, except for brief quotations where credit is given, may CONTENTS: be reproduced, stored in a retrieval Refer Madness pg 3 On The Case system, transmitted or otherwise cir- culated in any form or by any means, Melville Macnaghten Revisited News From Ripper World pg 115 including digital, electronic, printed, Jonathan Hainsworth pg 5 On The Case Extra mechanical, photocopying, recording or Feature Stories pg 117 Tom Sadler “48hrs” any other, without the express written J.G. Simons and Neil Bell pg 29 On The Case Puzzling permission of Casebook.org. The unau- “Cousin Lionel” Conundrums Logic Puzzle pg 123 thorized reproduction or circulation of Adam Went pg 48 Ultimate Ripperologists’ Tour this publication or any part thereof, The 1888 Old Bailey and Press Wolverhampton pg 125 whether for monetary gain or not, is Criminal Matrix CSI: Whitechapel strictly prohibited and may constitute D. M. Gates and Jeff Beveridge pg 76 Miller’s Court pg 130 copyright infringement as defined in domestic laws and international agree- Undercover Investigations From the Casebook Archives Book Reviews pg 87 Matthew Packer pg 138 ments and give rise to civil liability and criminal prosecution.
    [Show full text]
  • „Yours Truly, Jack the Ripper”
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Duisburg-Essen Publications Online „Yours truly, Jack the Ripper” Die interdiskursive Faszinationsfigur eines Serienmörders in Spannungsliteratur und Film Dissertation zur Erlangung des akademischen Grades Dr. phil. im Fach Germanistik am Institut für Geisteswissenschaften der Universität Duisburg-Essen Vorgelegt von Iris Müller (geboren in Dortmund) Erstgutachter: Prof. Dr. Jochen Vogt Zweitgutachter: Prof. Dr. Rolf Parr Tag der Disputation: 26. Mai 2014 Inhalt 1. Vorbemerkungen ..................................................................................... 4 1.1 Erkenntnisinteresse .............................................................................. 7 1.2 ‚Jack the Ripper‘ als interdiskursive Faszinationsfigur .......................... 9 1.3 Methodik und Aufbau der Arbeit ......................................................... 11 2. Die kriminalhistorischen Fakten ........................................................... 13 2.1 Quellengrundlage: Wer war ‚Jack the Ripper‘? ................................... 13 2.2 Whitechapel 1888: Der Tatort ............................................................. 14 2.3 Die Morde .......................................................................................... 16 2.3.1 Mary Ann Nichols ................................................................................................ 16 2.3.2 Annie Chapman ..................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Jack the Ripper 210X148 V6
    Jack the Ripper Peter Hodgson PNEUMA SPRINGS PUBLISHING UK First Published in 2011 by: Pneuma Springs Publishing Jack the Ripper Copyright © 2011 Peter Hodgson Peter Hodgson has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, to be identified as Author of this Work Pneuma Springs British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data Hodgson, Peter. Jack the Ripper : through the mists of time. 1. Jack, the Ripper. 2. Jack, the Ripper--In literature. 3. Jack, the Ripper--In motion pictures. 4. Serial murders--England--London--History--19th century. 5. London (England)--Social conditions--19th century. I. Title 364.1'5232'092-dc22 ISBN-13: 9781907728259 Pneuma Springs Publishing A Subsidiary of Pneuma Springs Ltd. 7 Groveherst Road, Dartford Kent, DA1 5JD. E: [email protected] W: www.pneumasprings.co.uk Published in the United Kingdom. All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Jack the Ripper Through the Mists of Time Contents Acknowledgements (1st Edition) .................................................................. 6 Foreword to the First Edition......................................................................... 7 Foreword to the Revised Edition................................................................... 9 Acknowledgements......................................................................................... 10 Quick Reference ..............................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Society Pages
    COMING TO THE MORRIN CENTRE IN NOVEMBER CÉILIDH ECHOES OF SCOTLAND N U M B E R 2 9 ■ F a l l 2 0 1 0 ■ $ 2 . 0 0 Inspired by the fascinating history of the leaving Scotland, the memory of the logdriver’s Scottish pioneers, in 2009, Le Cochon waltz, nostalgia for milling frolics… The SouRiant in collaboration with the Oscar Dhu multimedia effects and projection of old Cultural Centre and Fig55 created Céilidh photos; family portraits and animations help Echoes of Scotland. This performance binds the audience to imagine early life in “Canada, together theatre, multimedia images, new the land of everlasting forest and cold”. It is a technologies, storytelling, singing, journey that weaves together the past and instrumental music, dancing and poetry. present, Gaelic, English and French languages, nostalgia, happiness, humour and The play is steeped in the history of the first tradition. ■ Scottish Pioneer settlers, who exiled from the Isle of Lewis, settled in the Eastern Townships This theatre piece was based on historical and LOUISE PENNY of Quebec. The audience is invited to a céilidh ethnological documents, from the works of BOOK (kaylee), a visit or gathering at the taigh- Margaret Bennett, the Oscar Dhu Cultural ceilidh, or “ceilidh house”. The ceilidh is Center archives and documents and LAUNCH structured around stories, poems, proverbs, information provided by Lingwick residents, ■ anecdotes, jokes, dances, songs and music particularly the descendants of the Scottish taken from the life stories of the first settlers. Céilidh Echoes of Scotland is a CÉILIDH Hebridean settlers. The occasion is the collective creation by Tess LeBlanc, André ECHOES OF reunion between a brother, Seamus, and Bombardier, Michel Fordin and Martine sister, Sine.
    [Show full text]
  • Please Be Aware That This Play Is Fully Protected by Copyright
    PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THIS PLAY IS FULLY PROTECTED BY COPYRIGHT All plays, books, music and other materials published by Heartland Plays, Inc. are fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America and all countries which the United States has reciprocal relations including, but not limited to all countries covered by the Pan-American Copyright Convention, The Universal Copyright Convention and the Berne Convention. All rights to the plays and materials on our website are strictly reserved including, and without limitation, professional and amateur performance rights; motion pictures; public reading; radio and television broadcasting; audio and video recording and reproduction of any type known or yet to be invented; information storage and retrieval systems of any type known or yet to be invented; and the rights of translation into any and all languages. No individual or organization whether amateur or stock may perform this or any play published by Heartland Plays, Inc. without first obtaining advance permission from Heartland Plays, Inc. and paying the appropriate fees including Royalties and Single-Use Copyright fees. Heartland Plays, Inc. collects royalties on behalf of the Playwrights whose plays it publishes. Unauthorized copying, transcribing or reproduction of this or any play or excerpt, or storage or transmittal in any form and by any means whether known or yet to be invented, is strictly forbidden except as provided by Agreement with Heartland Plays, Inc. Any unauthorized use is a violation of copyright laws and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. FIVE SIMPLE RULES TO REMEMBER 1. DO take advantage of the free online perusal of our plays to help you make the best choice for your particular needs or production.
    [Show full text]
  • Henry Farquharson, M.P. Joanna Whatley LOOKS at the PAST of the ‘Untrustworthy’ Source of Macnaghten’S ‘Private Information’
    March 2020 No. 166 Henry Farquharson, M.P. Joanna whatley LOOKS AT THE PAST OF the ‘Untrustworthy’ Source of Macnaghten’s ‘Private Information’ MICHAEL HAWLEY • martin baggoley from the archives: sex or no sex? SPOTLIGHT ON RIPPERCAST • NINA & howard brown the latest book reviewsRipperologist 118 January 2011 1 Ripperologist 166 March 2020 EDITORIAL: Pandemic, 1892 Adam Wood HENRY RICHARD FARQUHARSON, M.P. The Untrustworthy Source of Macnaghten’s ‘Private Information’? Joanna Whately INSPECTOR ANDREWS’ ORDERS TO NEW YORK CITY, DECEMBER 1888 Michael L. Hawley ELIZA ROSS The Female Burker Martin Baggoley FROM THE ARCHIVES: SEX OR NO SEX? Amanda Howard Spotlight on Rippercast: RIPPERCAST REVIEWS ‘THE FIVE’ BY HALLIE RUBENHOLD MURDERS EXPLAINED BY LONDON BRAINS Nina and Howard Brown VICTORIAN FICTION Eduardo Zinna BOOK REVIEWS Paul Begg and David Green Ripperologist magazine is published by Mango Books (www.MangoBooks.co.uk). The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in signed articles, essays, letters and other items published in Ripperologist Ripperologist, its editors or the publisher. The views, conclusions and opinions expressed in unsigned articles, essays, news reports, reviews and other items published in Ripperologist are the responsibility of Ripperologist and its editorial team, but are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views, conclusions and opinions of doWe not occasionally necessarily use reflect material the weopinions believe of has the been publisher. placed in the public domain. It is not always possible to identify and contact the copyright holder; if you claim ownership of something we have published we will be pleased to make a proper acknowledgement. The contents of Ripperologist No.
    [Show full text]
  • Tom Wescott Gets Decadent the CASEBOOK the Contents of Casebook Examiner No
    THE CASEBOOK George The Man Who Hutchinson’s Wasn’t There “Turn on the Christer Holmgren defensive” issue five Benedict Holme December 2010 JACK THE RIPPER STUDIES, TRUE CRIME & L.V.P. SOCIAL HISTORY EVOLVING THEORIES WILDE IDEAS &Corey Browning enters the jungle and Tom Wescott gets Decadent THE CASEBOOK The contents of Casebook Examiner No. 5 December 2010 are copyright © 2010 Casebook.org. The authors of issue five signed articles, essays, letters, reviews December 2010 and other items retain the copyright of their respective contributions. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication, except for brief quotations where credit is given, may CONTENTS: be reproduced, stored in a retrieval It’s Christmas Time pg 3 On The Case system, transmitted or otherwise cir- culated in any form or by any means, Subscription Information pg 5 News From Ripper World pg 93 including digital, electronic, printed, On The Case Extra George Hutchinson’s mechanical, photocopying, recording or Feature Story pg 95 “Turn on the defensive” any other, without the express written Benedict Holme pg 6 On The Case Puzzling permission of Casebook.org. The unau- The Darker Side of Evolution Conundrums Logic Puzzle pg 100 thorized reproduction or circulation of Corey Browning pg 20 On The Case Back Story this publication or any part thereof, Mary Kelly and the Decadents Feature Story pg 102 whether for monetary gain or not, is Tom Wescott pg 45 Ultimate Ripperologists’ Tour strictly prohibited and may constitute copyright infringement as defined in The Man Who Wasn’t There Hull pg 103 Christer Holmgren pg 55 CSI: Whitechapel domestic laws and international agree- Graffito pg 110 ments and give rise to civil liability Undercover Investigations and criminal prosecution.
    [Show full text]
  • DEPARTMENT of INFORMATICS on the Trail of Jack
    DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATICS TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT MÜNCHEN Master Thesis in Informatics: Games Engineering On the Trail of Jack the Ripper - A Serious Game about a Cold Case Andrea Müller DEPARTMENT OF INFORMATICS TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT MÜNCHEN Master Thesis in Informatics: Games Engineering On the Trail of Jack the Ripper - A Serious Game about a Cold Case Auf den Spuren von Jack the Ripper - Ein Serious Game zu einem ungeklärten Kriminalfall Author: Andrea Müller Supervisor: Prof. Gudrun Klinker, Ph.D. Advisor: Dr. rer. nat. David A. Plecher, M.A. Submission Date: 15.06.2021 I confirm that this master thesis in informatics: games engineering is my own work and I have documented all sources and material used. Munich, 15.06.2021 Andrea Müller Abstract Over the last decades, many non-traditional topics have been covered by Serious Games. This includes games with Cultural Heritage purposes. In comparison, Jack the Ripper is a historical person that has been featured in the media abundantly to a point where the myths around Jack the Ripper may be more prevalent than the actual facts. With the On the Trail of Jack the Ripper game, a Serious Heritage game was created with the purpose of introducing the Whitechapel murders of 1888 to its players. In order to present different angles of the cases, the game does not only teach them about the incidents themselves, but also focuses on the circumstances in which they happened. Thereby, its aims to dissolve myths and intends to raise Cultural Awareness for the living conditions of people in the East End, including poverty and antisemitism.
    [Show full text]
  • Mary Ann Nicholls: “Polly”
    Mary Ann Nicholls: “Polly” Age Features Born on August 26, 1845 in 5'2" tall; brown eyes; dark Dawes Court, Shoe Lane, off complexion; brown hair Fleet Street. turning grey; five front teeth At the time of her death the East missing; two bottom-one top London Observer guessed her front, her teeth are slightly age at 30-35. discoloured. She is described At the inquest her father said as having small, delicate "she was nearly 44 years of age, features with high cheekbones but it must be owned that she and grey eyes. She has a small looked ten years younger." scar on her forehead from a childhood injury. Lifestyle She is described by Emily Holland as "a very clean woman who always seemed to keep to herself." The doctor at the post mortem remarked on the cleanliness of her thighs. She is also an alcoholic. In 1882, William (Polly’s husband) found out that his wife was living as a prostitute and discontinued support payments to her. He won his case after establishing that she was living as a common prostitute. At the time of her death, he had not seen his wife in three years. On 12/2/87 It is said that she was caught "sleeping rough (in the open)"The in Trafalgar Night Square.of the She Crime: was found Thursday, to be destitute August and with no means of sustenance and was sent on to Lambeth Workhouse. 30 through Friday, August 31, 1888. The rain was sharp and frequent and was accompanied by peals of thunder and flashes of lightning.
    [Show full text]